The other morning I was following my normal routine - drinking coffee, wrapped up in a blanket, doing my devotional - when the message popped out at me and hit me square on the nose. It came from a daily devotional book that I've been using for a few months now, and I'll be honest I've gotten kind of lax with keeping up with it. So that morning I was in the process of catching up on the week's message (it's divided up into different categories for each week). The title of it was "Grasping."
Just by the "Opening Prayer" provided, I could tell that this message was going to be incredibly relevant to my life, especially lately. It talked about not reaching to or grasping at other sources for help with pain or trials. However, the daily Psalm delivered the first strike at my attention with Psalm 16:4, "The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods." It's not necessarily talking about other religious gods, here. It means anything you put before God or anything you let control your life like money, popularity, etc. I've definitely been guilty lately of not putting God first, and I've noticed a change not just in my life but in my attitude about life as well.
I proceeded to read the first three scripture readings, and they all hit home, especially in regards to something I've been dealing with a lot lately - my anxiety. The first was Mark 5:34, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." All it takes is a little bit of faith in God, and He works miracles. The second verse was Mark 10:27, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." I try so hard to accomplish everything on my own, and this verse just tells me what life has already been showing me - that I can't do it alone. The last verses are ones that I've heard all my life - Matthew 6:33-34, " But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." My mind is my own worst enemy. Anxiety and worry plague me constantly, and it's because I try to handle everything on my own and control everything. God has been showing me lately that the more I try to control things the more out of control they get. I have to give it all over to Him to handle because I certainly can't do it.
The "Closing Prayer" provided really drove home the message. It asked God for open hands that will stop grasping for control and love and value from other people. The only true love and value we are going to receive is from God. Other people will always let us down unless we're putting God first and letting Him control the situation.
